The Red Sox were initially chosen by a committee made up of PSWA board members, then put up to the entire board for approval.

The Red Sox did have some inside help. PSWA board member Kerry O'Connor is a transplanted Bostonian [And who isn't?] and he said Thursday he "was pretty adamant about the Sox when they came up for discussion."

Red Sox right - and possibly center - fielder Shane Victorino was group's Humanitarian of the Year for 2010 before he was traded away by the Phillies.

"He should win it again this year for what he did for Red Sox Nation with his huge hits this postseason," O'Connor said.

Not surprising, O'Connor said the Red Sox were chosen because of both their "worst-to-first" championship season and the role the team helped to play in the civic healing of Boston after the Marathon Bombings. The team has told the PSWA that will send send a representative to the banquet to accept the honor.

"The award is really for showing just how powerful an impact sports can have in someone's life, or in this case, the lives of an entire city," O'Connor said. "The Sox did everything right. They provided a distraction to help us forget the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombing while simultaneously making sure the victims and heroes were not forgotten."

O'Connor said he had family members [cousins] at the finish line in Copley Square when the explosions occurred last April 15. "We all wear our 'B' Strong caps with pride," he said. "Let me tell you, after crying together in April, it was downright soulful to cheer in October, together."

O'Connor's 13-month old son also made his first trip to Fenway Park on July 4.

Blogroll

If you're reading this list - then you already know about the other talented folks on Boston.com and BostonGlobe.com. Here are some others across the digital spectrum that you might enjoy (in no particular order):